Walgreens, local Chicago healthcare provider partner on 5,000 free flu shot vouchers for those in need

By Michael Johnsen

CHICAGO — To help improve flu immunization rates in underserved communities, Walgreens and Access Community Health Network on Tuesday announced a collaboration that will provide 5,000 free flu shot vouchers to Access to help those either without health insurance coverage or those unable to afford the vaccination to get their flu shot.

"By providing convenient access to flu shots at our stores, retail clinics and now, through flu clinics at select Access health centers, we are creating meaningful opportunities to help protect more people from influenza this flu season," stated Ron Weinert, Walgreens VP healthcare solutions. "This relationship with Access demonstrates the valuable role Walgreens pharmacists and Take Care Clinic nurse practitioners are playing in health care today, through coordinating care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs as part of a patient's care team. It also underscores the importance of residents in our community being linked to a medical home."

Qualifying Access patients can receive a free flu shot voucher at any of Access' 45 community health center locations throughout the Chicagoland area while supplies last. Vouchers are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic, available any day without an appointment and subject to the terms and conditions on the voucher.

New this year, Walgreens pharmacists will join Access at 24 on-site flu clinics at select Access health center locations throughout the area to help better meet the needs of Access patients.

Walgreens and Access have been working together for more than two years as part of a broader coordinated healthcare relationship to help improve community health and reduce the racial and ethnic health disparities in Chicagoland's most vulnerable communities.